The app lets users see when their friends are close to them, so they can arrange to meet up. However, the app doesn’t use a map, so people can’t stalk their friends. The app is currently available on iPhone, with an Android version coming soon.

At the moment Sup is ranked in the top 10 start-ups, in the publicly voted poll. If Sup manages to stay in the top 80 start-ups until 23 May, the team will progress to The Pitchathon where they will have to pitch their product over a 29-hour period.

Speaking about the competition, Danny Lowney said: "I'm so excited to be in the running for the VOOM awards. We've been overwhelmed by the support and hope that it will carry us to pitch to Richard Branson.”

If businesses progress past The Pitchathon, they will visit the Entrepreneur Workshop in Birmingham and a training day in Edinburgh. The live final will take place on 28 June in London and the best six will pitch their ideas to Richard Branson. The finale will also be streamed live.

About the University of Westminster:

The University of Westminster boasts a vibrant learning environment attracting more than 20,000 students from over 150 nations and we continue to invest in our future with new developments, research projects and new ideas.

We offer highly attractive practice-based courses that are independently rated as excellent, many with international recognition. Our distinguished 175-year history has meant we lead the way in many areas of research, particularly politics, media, art and design, architecture and biomedical sciences, and our position in the city of London allows us to continue to build on our close connections with leading figures and organisations in these areas as well as in the worlds of business, information technology, politics and law.

Our commitment to educating graduates for the needs of professional life attracts high quality students from within the UK and around the globe.

Internationalisation, employability and sustainability are key elements in the University of Westminster’s vision for the future and we strive to ensure the very highest standards are met and maintained.